Submitting Potable Water Samples to the Consumer Microbiology Laboratory

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Consumer Microbiology

Submitting Potable Water Samples to the Consumer Microbiology Laboratory

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Potable Water Submissions from General Public

The Laboratory accepts potable (drinking) water samples from the public for coliform and Escherichia coli testing. All other food and water samples must be submitted by registered public health sanitarians. No exceptions.

Water samples are accepted at the Laboratory’s specimen receiving bay Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ONLY. Sample may be shipped, or hand delivered to the Laboratory. A DSHS Central Campus Map is available here.

Please note:

Drinking Water Sample Collection

Collect drinking water in sample containers provided by the DSHS Laboratory. You may pick up containers at the specimen delivery bay of the DSHS Austin Laboratory. Samples obtained from public water systems must be submitted with a completed G-19 Water Bacteriology Submission Form.

A printable job aid about submitting drinking water samples for coliform and E. coli testing is available on the DSHS Microbiology Laboratory’s Specimen Submission Job Aids page. 

  • Containers provided by the Laboratory are EPA-approved for water testing.

Containers come with sodium thiosulfate to inactivate a minimum of 20 ppm of chlorine in the sample. Do not remove the sodium thiosulphate granules from the collection bottles.

  • A sample may be declared unsuitable for analysis due to excessive chlorine if residual chlorine is found in it.

A closeup of a clear plastic jar with a white screw on lid and a white label on lid and side of jar. Two arrows and captions point to the 100 mL volume line on the bottle and the sodium thiosulphate granules in the bottle.

Collect and Label Sample

Collect at least 105 mL of water in collection container.

  • 100 mL volume line is marked on bottle.
  • Do not underfill or overfill bottle.
  • Do not rinse bottle before collecting sample.
  • Leave enough space in bottle (at least 2.5 cm) to allow for mixing of the sample by shaking before examination.
  • Provide the required information on the sample.

Storage and Shipping

Store and ship water samples cold (2°C–8°C), when possible. Water samples stored and shipped at ambient temperatures are also acceptable.

  • Drinking water samples MUST be tested within 30 hours of collection.
  • Samples received by the Laboratory after 30 hours will be rejected.

Obtaining Water Bacteriology Submission Form

Drinking water samples collected from public water systems must be submitted with a G-19 Water Bacteriology Form.

  • G-19 Submission Form and instructions are provided with sample bottles.
  • White copy of form is for the Lab. Yellow copy is for submitter.
  • Required fields in form (identified by **) must be completed.

Double check the completed G-19 form for accuracy before submission.

  • Only TCEQ can authorize changes to form after it is submitted.

Food Submission Questions? Call 512-776-6464 or email microlabdistributionlist@dshs.texas.gov.

A yellow and black sign, similar to a traffic sign, with a simple line drawing of a truck

Shipping Samples to the DSHS Consumer Microbiology Laboratory

Submitters are legally responsible for properly packaging, labeling, and shipping water samples to the DSHS Laboratory for testing. Additional information on shipping samples to the DSHS Austin Laboratory is available in the Laboratory’s general specimen shipping and mailing guidance pages.

Before shipping samples to the Laboratory, please:

  • label the sample with the required identifiers,
  • ensure the identifiers on the sample match those on the submission form,
  • secure the lid of the sample container to prevent leaks,
  • complete the correct submission form for the sample,
  • provide the date and time of collection on the submission form,
  • select the food analysis test(s) being requested on the submission form,
  • attach a copy of previous lab results, if available,
  • packed the sample correctly according to Category B, UN3373 shipping requirements,
  • affixed all required shipping labels to the outer mailer, and
  • packed cold packs with samples that need refrigeration and dry ice with samples that must be submitted frozen.

Questions about Consumer Microbiology Submissions?

For questions about submitting samples to the DSHS Laboratory or CDC, call the Consumer Microbiology team at 512-776-6464.